Humungous 11-volume work in the making for 25 years.
By American Bazaar Staff
CHICAGO: A unique Encyclopedia of Hinduism – an 11-volume work, comprising of around 7000 entries noted by more than 1,000 scholars from around the world which has been in the making for 25 years – will be launched at the Manav Seva Mandir, in Bensenville, IL, on July 27th.
The Encyclopedia of Hinduism is the first time in history that the depth and breadth of India’s great spiritual culture is made available in authentic, academic and scholastic form, according to a press release issued by Dr. Bharat Barai, who is on the Board of Trustee of the Manav Seva Mandir.
“It is truly a compendium of thousands of years of history, science, art, architecture, polity, religion, philosophy and culture,†said the release. “Further, the Encyclopedia is not limited to Hinduism as a religion, but rather provides all inclusive treatment of India’s spiritual culture (including in-depth coverage of Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism, and aspects from Islamic and Christian traditions in India).â€
The encyclopedia was previewed earlier in India by the Dalai Lama. It was conceived and inspired by spiritual leader Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the founder also of the Hindu-Jain Temple in Pittsburgh. It’s being published by India Heritage Research Foundation, which he founded. He is also the founder of the Ganga Action Parivar, a world-wide network of people committed to serving, preserving and protecting the Ganga River.
Saraswatiji will attend the launch of the encyclopedia, where he will deliver an address on “Spirituality in Daily Life: The Eternal Message of Sanatan Dharma,” which will also include time for question-answer and a guided universal meditation.
Also in attendance will be Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, PhD, the Managing Editor of the encyclopedia. She is a graduate of Stanford University who has spent the last 17 years living in India.
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